Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell

Sitterback to top

• Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell (1857-1941), Major-General and founder of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Sitter associated with 34 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Hubert von Herkomer (1849-1914), Painter and illustrator. Artist associated with 47 portraits, Sitter in 10 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Baden-Powell took part in the Zululand (1888), Ashanti and Matabeleland (1896) campaigns in South Africa. During the Boer War he held Mafeking under siege for 217 days until relieved. In 1910 he retired from the army in order to devote himself to the Boy Scout movement which he founded. The uniform which he wears in this portrait is one which he designed himself for the South African Constabulary; the hat was later adapted for the Boy Scouts. The frame to the portrait is an example of the cushion design with a running foliage pattern which the artist adopted after 1902.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 75
• Funnell, Peter (introduction); Marsh, Jan, A Guide to Victorian and Edwardian Portraits, 2011, p. 57
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 28
• Simon, Jacob, The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain, 1997 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), p. 108

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Hats and head-attire
• On display at the Gallery
• Uniforms
• Writing